Pope Francis Extends Special Greetings to Chinese Citizens During Mass in Mongolia Amid Diplomatic Strain

In a first-of-its-kind papal visit to Mongolia, Pope Francis used the occasion to extend a unique greeting to the Chinese populace, referring to them as “noble.” This special acknowledgment occurred during a Mass in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, and comes against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny over Beijing’s approach to religious minorities.

Pope Francis took the symbolic step of inviting the retired and serving bishops of Hong Kong, Cardinal John Hon Tong and Cardinal-elect Stephen Chow, to join him at the altar. Addressing an audience that included several pilgrims from mainland China, the Pope extended his good wishes to them all. “I take this opportunity to convey my warm regards to the noble people of China, wishing them continuous progress and well-being,” said Francis.

Furthermore, Pope Francis encouraged Chinese Catholics to be “good Christians and responsible citizens,” a statement that was met with enthusiastic applause at the Steppe Arena in Ulaanbaatar.

This was Pope Francis’s sole public mention of China during his four-day trip, despite the palpable influence of Beijing’s policies, particularly its crackdown on religious communities. The Chinese Communist Party has escalated its efforts to suppress religious activities, particularly those relating to Christianity and Islam, citing these faiths as foreign threats that could challenge Communist governance. The actions against Uyghurs in Xinjiang have drawn international condemnation, with allegations that over one million individuals have been forcibly interned and subjected to torture and cultural eradication.

Although the United Nations has accused China of committing potential “crimes against humanity,” the Chinese government has rejected these allegations. It insists that its activities are aimed at countering separatism, terrorism, and religious extremism.

Pope Francis had earlier sent a telegram to Chinese President Xi Jinping as his plane crossed Chinese airspace, extending “divine blessings of unity and peace.” The Chinese foreign ministry responded, recognizing the act as a gesture of “friendliness and goodwill.”

However, the absence of any mainland Chinese bishops at the Mass in Mongolia served to highlight the fragile nature of the 2018 accord between the Vatican and China regarding the appointment of Catholic bishops, an agreement that Beijing has violated by making unilateral appointments.

During his visit, Pope Francis also commended Mongolia’s history of religious tolerance by participating in an interfaith event that featured Mongolian shamans, Buddhist monks, and leaders from other faiths. Francis emphasized that the coexistence of diverse religious traditions has the potential to benefit society at large. He urged global leaders to choose dialogue and encounter as means to resolve ongoing conflicts.

Pope Francis’s visit to Mongolia aimed to nurture the burgeoning Catholic community there and underscore Mongolia’s tradition of religious tolerance, amid strained relations between the Holy See and neighboring countries like China and Russia.

Cardinal-elect Stephen Chow of Hong Kong, who had made a historic visit to Beijing earlier this year, emphasized the significance of the papal visit for the Catholic Church in Asia. Chinese authorities have been increasingly insisting that religious practices, including Catholicism, conform strictly to party directives and undergo “Sinicization.”

The visit also elicited commentary from Mongolians concerned about China’s policy toward Tibetan Buddhism and its impact on Mongolian culture. However, given the economic importance of China to Mongolia, leaders of the country have largely refrained from commenting on these issues.

While Pope Francis has largely avoided public criticism of Beijing or meetings with contentious figures like the Dalai Lama, his outreach during this trip could signal a nuanced approach to the Vatican’s complicated relationship with China.

This report is part of Big Big News religion coverage, supported by AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US and funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. AP holds sole responsibility for the content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pope Francis in Mongolia

More about Pope Francis in Mongolia

• Vatican Official Website
• United Nations Human Rights Reports on China
• Overview of Mongolia’s Religious Landscape
• Details on the 2018 Vatican-China Accord on Bishop Nominations
• Chinese Communist Party’s Religious Policy
• Overview of Uyghur Crisis in Xinjiang
• The Holy See’s Diplomatic Relations in Asia